Off the Beaten Track: Portugal's Rough Vicentina Coast

The Algarve region in the south of Portugal attracts tourists from all over Europe all year round. But what most people (luckily) don't know is that there is still a great unexplored part of the coast in Algarve, away from the masses and the cities. Come and see the Costa Vicentina, a diamond on Portugal's southwest coast.

When hearing about the Algarve, people immediately think of its most popular cities like Albufeira, Faro, Lagos, or Portimão that attract many tourists in winter as much as they do in summer. Unfortunately, this has led to a loss of authenticity in many of these places. For those about to despair, there is very good news! Discover the Algarve’s “hidden diamond,” the Costa Vicentina!

Looking for great waves, camper vans, hippies, rough deserted beaches, spectacular cliffs, and great nature sights? Do you like relaxing as much as hiking and surfing? Craving for fish that comes from the sea straight to your plate? Then this is your cup of tea!

Not to miss is Sagres, also known as the “end of the world” as it is at the southwesternmost part of Europe. Visit the fortress, the beaches such as Mareta and Beliche, and don’t miss out on the great sunset views at the Saint Vincent Cape.

Make a stop at Vila do Bispo to visit the viewpoint that offers spectacular sights of the beaches in the village. Expect huge cliffs, miniature-sized people on the beaches, and an endless horizon.

A visit to the surf capital of the Vicentina Coast, Amado Beach, is obligatory! Great waves all year round both for those who know how to surf and those who still prefer baby waves. Surrounded by green hills and surf schools, you get to enjoy a great day at the beach. It’s an absolutely gorgeous beach at the heart of this beautiful coast at the Algarve, which is so easy to fall in love with!

Right next to Amado Beach is the Bordeira Beach: bigger, calmer, windier, but as breathtaking as the previous one.

And last but not least, don’t miss out on all the great, warm people of Portugal’s Costa Vicentina!

In celebration of the mindblowing solar eclipse we had the other day, we ran a competition and asked you to tag your analogue photos centered around our great big yellow friend! Check out the winners now!

In December last year James Wright, editor and creative director of So It Goes Magazine, went on a two-week trip to Sri Lanka, "a place so long on our bucket list, but up until then, as yet unvisited," he writes on the first of his three-part photo diary. Herein is the first of his series that chronicles his adventures, highlighted by a selection of breathtaking images of the Sri Lankan countryside and the locals, among many other images, captured with his trusty photographic companions: the Leica MP, Lomo LC-A+, and an assortment of films including the LomoChrome Purple.

Simeon Smith is a musician who recorded the sounds of our film cameras in action and made these samples available as a free download. We couldn't resist interviewing him about this project and taking a look at some of his photos. Meet the man behind the cams here.

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